SENSATIONAL EVIDENCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16993, 26 March 1926, Page 9

SENSATIONAL EVIDENCE.

CONDITION OF THE KARU

BEAMAN ’ti ALLEGATIONS,

‘PIERCED PLATE WITH KNIFE."

(Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, last uight

After further evidence had 'been heard concerning the wreck of the Karu, the Nautical Court adjourned until .to-niorrorv morning. < Continuing his evidence, George Nelsonj engineer on the Karu, said the weather conditions resembled) a cylone and only occasionally were such gal es met with. Under ordinary circumstances an ordinary sound ship should have been able to stand such, a sea.

Mr. Mays: Was not the ship leaking badly before the weather beca.mo eyclouic?—Certainly not.

How soon after crossing the bar did she begin to leaks—About K> or 11 hours.

The bupip you l'elt going over the bar did not alarm vou?—-No.

Well, why did you take soundings? —-It is part of my early training. Replying to Mr. Finlay, the engineer said in spite of any suggestion to the contrary lie was convinced there was no leak in the ship when she left Whangape. For the ensuing 17 hours the weather was such that the vessel -was subjected to a continual strain.

James Thomas Kyle, foreman, said that when the Karu crossed the bar there was a severe bump followed by two light touches. When witness went on duty at midnight he noticed excessive water in the bilge, and ho started the pumps. To Mr. Meredith, witness said lie had heard a remark at Hokianga to the effect that there had been water in the skin of the ship. Banders complained that lie could not get the bilges pumped dry, because of trouble with the pump, but witness regarded this’ as “an ordinary growl over a dirty job." Mr. Mays suggested that seaman Varjonen had said, "I can’t understand whore the water is coming from. ’ ’ Witness: I don’t know who made the remark. "COULD SEE DAYLIGHT."

Thomas Halliday, said,he left the * Karu at Hokianga. On the trip north witness had been working in , the hold when his attention was attracted by the rusty plates. Oa the j starboard side the surface of a plate had been painted with a tar prepara- i tion. Witness tested a rusty section '• with his pocket knife and pierced a small hole near water level. He could see daylight through the hole, ' and with the motion of the. ship a ' small jet of water would come 1 through. Witness said they pointed ! out the faulty plate to Ravcmswood, ( the seaman who was drowned. He then smeared the hole with cement. , Later witn'ess had a dispute concern- , ing payment for working cargo in the bunkers. He made this an excuse , to sign off at Hokianga. Even if the dispute had been settled to witness’ satisfaction lie would not have continued the voyage. He had not warned his shipmates, as he had already hoard them discussing the condition of the ship, and thought that the complaint would result in a refusal of the crew to work the ship. Witness had previously drawn attention to a defect in a ship, and for his trouble he just escaped being penalised for inciting a strike. To Mr. Mays, witness said he had warned Ravonswood. who said lie would try to get ashore lit Sydney. ‘ ‘ LOOKED AFTER MYSELF. ’ ’ Mr. Moody: You considered your own' life, but not the safety of the crow?—l looked after myself, and would not have gone in the ship for £25. They all knew about the ship. I’m not the spokesman or’ a sea lawyer. Mr. Moody: Will you tell me the name of the spokesman on the ship? —No, not if you put me in gaol for it. I’ve been in Sing Sing and in gaol all over the world, and I’m ndt ashamed, to tell it. Mr. Moody: Are you telling the truth?—Yes.' I”was iii Sing Sing for riding on a train. , Mr. Moody: The crow knew the condition of the ship?—Yes. They were all talking about it and about .how much the Union would give them for the loss of their clothes. They were wondering what the Union would pay them. I say that to their 'face's. , • "NOT A NEW PLATE." Air. Finlay (to witness): Did it occur to. you that you ’ might have finind the only weak spot in the ship.? —Yes, but the hole and the cement is there, and you can find it ;on the ship now if you look. It was not good enough for me. I don’t .want to go to Davy Jones’ locker just Vet. • '■ Mr. Finlay: If I fell you that a brand new plate was fitted in at Sydney will you still say you pierced it?—lt was not a new plate. Why not take me up to the ship now and let me point it out? Mr. Meredith said that the engineer’s evidence was to the contrary 'that any repairs had been done to the hull. Mr. Finlay: I.can call evidence that this was a brand new plate. Witness: J had a "hunch” tho ship would never finish the voyage. Mr. Finlay: Voices do talk lo you ;in the night, don’t they?—l had a dream that saved my life once. And members of the crew slept with belaying pins under their heads when you were >there? —-What do you, think I am. , \ Nutty ? ’ ’.. ~ ~My.. . Helm den:' It ,seems .that ‘ ‘ rpfferty-rules ” prevailed ;ob' board. Gcbrge Alexander KcUjb veluof officer of the Karu, said there. Was one light bump on the Wliangape bav. Witness described the fitting of -the now plate in the portion of the hull which Halliday allogcd had yielded to the knife. This was done in! flic dock in. Australia. The Court then adjourned.